Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
alhambra asbestos lawyer include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.